Float Switch Cutoff Install Vertex Omega 150

[AcroporAddict]

Guys,
I mentioned that I had installed a float switch cutoff on my Vertex Omega 150 protein skimmer, and had requess for some pictures, so I thought I might post how I did the install. The hard part with the Omega 150 is the small diameter of the collection cup area. The first picture below is a float switch I installed on my Alpha Vertex 300 skimmer I had in operation for a good while, and it is a relatively straightforward installation because there is a ton of room in the collection cup. The float switch cutoff just installs through the lid.

The purpose of this is to prevent salt spray and water from getting all over your equipment, and can prevent a flood if installed on an external skimmer, and can prevent salt water spray from getting all over the place in the case of an internal skimmer if the skimmer over foams. This is the reason I started using them, and they have have worked fantastic.

You can most likely install this on any brand of skimmer. I just happen to own Vertex skimmers.

http://i1340.photobucket.com/albums/o729/acroporaddict/CIMG5255_zps460624d4.jpg

The Omega 150 requires a side mounted installation. You might be able to go through the lid, but it would be very difficult to get it right, so here, in pictures, is my DIY float switch cutoff. If anyone has any questions, post them here and I will do my best to help. The narrow notch in the skimmer cup allows the float switch nylon screw to slide down and lets the wire clear, and was made with a Dremel cutoff wheel and finished with a fine file. The larger notch on the clear ring on the underside of the collection cup was made with a small Dremel sanding drum, and allows the lid to sit flush on top of the cup.

The nylon screw and wingnut were purchased at Lowes, and the small "L" shaped acrylic piece is a piece of Lexan, also purchased at Lowes and shaped with a Dremel.

http://i1340.photobucket.com/albums/o729/acroporaddict/CIMG5741_zps436626e4.jpg

http://i1340.photobucket.com/albums/o729/acroporaddict/CIMG5743_zpscf51af25.jpg

http://i1340.photobucket.com/albums/o729/acroporaddict/CIMG5745_zps77cfb3dd.jpg

http://i1340.photobucket.com/albums/o729/acroporaddict/CIMG5746_zps1c15b09c.jpg

http://i1340.photobucket.com/albums/o729/acroporaddict/CIMG5747_zpsfa84318a.jpg

http://i1340.photobucket.com/albums/o729/acroporaddict/CIMG5748_zpsb6abc66a.jpg

http://i1340.photobucket.com/albums/o729/acroporaddict/CIMG5749_zpsbff7cb52.jpg

http://i1340.photobucket.com/albums/o729/acroporaddict/CIMG5750_zps1bd28026.jpg

http://i1340.photobucket.com/albums/o729/acroporaddict/CIMG5752_zpsda1eb25f.jpg

[JoelA7]

Thanks. Great stuff.

[Fury165]

Fantastic writeup, I will do this once I can muster the courage to defile my Omega 150's collection cup and lid LOL - thanks for sharing.

[AcroporAddict]

Glad to help guys. And just FYI, the float switch is a Digital Aquatics unit. I have a couple ReefKeeper Elite systems, one for my 465 gallon reef and one for my 100 gallon reef. The Omega 150 is on the 100 gallon reef.

[moondoggy4]

Fantastic writeup, I will do this once I can muster the courage to defile my Omega 150's collection cup and lid LOL - thanks for sharing.

My feelings exactly.:worried:


Thanks for the pictures I also have this skimmer, and I have had several overflows, operator error.

[AcroporAddict]

Fantastic writeup, I will do this once I can muster the courage to defile my Omega 150's collection cup and lid LOL - thanks for sharing.
I was able to overcome that fear after I spent an hour wiping dried salt off my sump, floor, RKE components, media reactors, etc, etc., hehehe!

[saltdiver]

Great write-up, I plan to tackle this project on my Omega 150, maybe tonight. I'm tired of cleaning the spray off the inside of my cabinet and equipment from skimmer overflow. It's been so bad that I'm afraid to run the skimmer when not at home.

Regarding the lexan bracket you made. Did you buy the lexan sheet at lowe's and then cut, heat, and bend to create the 90 degree angle, or did you find something at Lowes that already had the bend in it?

Thanks!

[saltdiver]

Disregard my question above. I found the sheet lexan at Lowes and used a heat gun to bend and make the bracket. The dremel work on the cup and lid was easy but a little unnerving.

I now have a float switch installed in my Vortex Omega 150 thanks to this thread.